This Is Johnny Thttp://thisisjohnnyt.com
The Socially Awkward Nerd in the CornerFri, 11 Aug 2017 01:07:59 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.8.1https://i1.wp.com/thisisjohnnyt.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/cropped-thisisjohnnyt.png?fit=32%2C32This Is Johnny Thttp://thisisjohnnyt.com
3232129215273I am Not Your Herohttp://thisisjohnnyt.com/i-am-not-your-hero/
http://thisisjohnnyt.com/i-am-not-your-hero/#respondFri, 11 Aug 2017 01:07:59 +0000http://thisisjohnnyt.com/?p=3878I wrote the first version of this post a long time ago. Prompted by my then neighbor remarking something along […]

I wrote the first version of this post a long time ago. Prompted by my then neighbor remarking something along the line of “You’re a ***damn hero to me. You’ve beat something that should have killed you.” It was something along those lines. Anyway, he meant it. I know this because this is a guy that doesn’t mince words. When he says something, he means it with heart. And I went to bed that night, a little drunk, but a lot in thought.

Hero. What does that mean? What makes one a hero? The dictionary defines a hero as such:

A person who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities.

I’ve been called a lot of things in my lifetime. The majority of these things was nothing good, so I won’t go into the trouble of listing it out here. Just use your imagination. But until that conversation, I had never been called a hero, and I didn’t know how it was supposed to make me feel. On the one hand, it did inflate my ego for a bit. It felt good. On the other hand, it wasn’t really a label that I wanted.

There are some people who shun the label, and those that seek it. They do things that are heroic in nature, and decline the praise, or they intentionally do things to seem like they are worthy of that praise. Me? I don’t do either of those. I say thank you to the good-natured comments I receive, and I never intentionally seek those comments. The more I thought about it, the more I started to stew.

I do not want to be…

I am not, your hero.

People like to talk about how strong you are when you beat cancer. That you are a winner of battles. And I’ve never felt okay with that. As though somehow, those who lost their lives to this bastard beast were somehow weaker, and not winners. When I’ve found that most of the time, those people were a hell of a lot stronger than I can ever dream of being. Those people won life by fighting till the end, by inspiring others with their last breath. By always thinking about others before themselves.

This is a card I received from a dear online friend named Scott. Sent to me during his battle with glioblastoma that would claim his life a few months later.

Scott was the very definition of a warrior. Going through this hellish Crossfit WOD after leaving the hospital receiving radiation treatment. I mean, a true badass. Am I to believe that somehow I am a winner and he is not? I can’t even make it through 10 pushups now without my lungs reminding me that I’m really that weak. Let alone a whole WOD. After Scott’s passing I did a set number of burpees as it was a part of the Serene WOD in his honor. No words can describe the pain I felt. I was sad, mourning, hurting physically, and there was no way I could give up. That is how Scott still wins. By still reminding me what real courage and heart looks like.

Scott, to me, is the definition of a hero.

But me? I am no hero. I have no noble qualities. I’ve been a liar, and a cheat in my life. I have failed others just as much as I’ve failed myself. I have gotten lucky a few times in the fact that I am still here. I’m not the greatest of husbands, or greatest of fathers. Not the greatest son, or brother, or friend, or coworker. I know this. I try, but I know deep down I could be much better.

No, I am no hero. I am but a simple dude. I wake in the morning grumpy like everyone else. I go to bed grumpy like most. I have fun when I can, and I get bored very easily. Sometimes I stay up late playing Mario with my son, some nights I just tell him I’m tired in crawl in bed at 8:30. No, I am no hero.

Save your heroes for those who truly deserve it. Like my great-grandfather. Started working in the mills to support his family at an elementary school age. And did well raising his family, watching them raise their own, and fighting his own battle. Loving his wife who had forgotten who he was, and making sure she still felt his love. Save heroes for men like Scott, who was selfless in every sense of the word and gave so much to this world that we could never give back.

Save your heroes for the people who lay down their lives for others without even being asked to do so. Save your heroes for those who expand our ability to treat disease with their efforts. Save your heroes for those working 48 hours to provide life saving care to people they will never know past a last name and a patient chart.

I….

I am not your hero. I am merely me. And a hero? Well, a hero is so much more than I will ever even dream to be.

]]>http://thisisjohnnyt.com/i-am-not-your-hero/feed/03878I am Okay but the Memory Remainshttp://thisisjohnnyt.com/memory-remains/
http://thisisjohnnyt.com/memory-remains/#respondMon, 07 Aug 2017 20:28:06 +0000http://thisisjohnnyt.com/?p=3868 We all went through different experiences on our paths to being survivors. But we are all linked through one common thought. The memory remains.

I’m okay, I promise you. I’ve had clean scans for the last 4.5 years. Yeah, there are still some long-term side effects that I deal with but otherwise, I’m okay. People ask me about my cancer experience all the time. I really don’t mind talking about it, especially if I think it will make a difference in somebody else’s life. It’s great that people I don’t see for long periods of time ask me if I’m still good. It shows they care. I’m really okay now. What still hurts, is simply this: The memory remains.

As time has gone by, the physical demands of surviving cancer have diminished greatly. Nausea isn’t as big of a problem as it used to be, neuropathy really only strikes when it’s cold or I’m over working my body. The fatigue I used to feel has gotten much better. But the memories of the experience linger, and they feel like it was simply a few hours ago. The sights, the sounds, the smells, the feelings. All of it lingering behind like a bad tattoo sleeve that you can’t cover up.

That bench over there out in front of the main building? That’s where I was the only time I heard my father drop an F bomb, right after I did, discussing the discovery of something in my brain. That computer out there in the hallway? That’s where I first really saw what the doctors saw in the scans, and it shook me to my core. Room 3204? I can still show you where I hung up the felt Christmas trees my kids made me while I was inpatient. I’m okay now but,

The memory remains.

I look around the lobby and never forget that I am too fucking young to have to be doing this. At 29 years old and more than 30 years younger than the majority of patients I would say good morning to, I never fit in the scenery around the chemo suite. And now, at 34, I still don’t belong. Yet, there I am, a few times a year, hoping to God that the news is still good. I don’t know that I could handle it if it wasn’t. Ad everyone there has the same thought on their mind: Why the hell did it have to be me? Damnit, why couldn’t have been someone else?

The memory remains.

If you have ever had a CT scan with the IV contrast then you know the taste of pennies you get when it starts to run. I can taste that at the mention of a CT scan. I use hand sanitizer like nobodies business. But never without being able to smell the cleaning chemicals they use once a day to mop the hospital rooms. I have learned every bit of medical coding on my hospital orders and could probably do it all myself at this point. I can find my veins faster than the nurse and pose for the x-rays quicker than they can take them. I am okay now, but

The memory remains.

I spoke with the intake lady today as I waited for them to process my insurance for my x-rays and blood work. She is currently two years cancer free. She shares the same sentiment. We will never be quite the same again. While life will go on, and continue, there will always be a little bit of what if. What if I go to the doctor and they tell me something is wrong again? What if I end up with a secondary cancer due to my previous treatment? What if, what if, what if.

That is the biggest part of the remaining memory. It’s the part of us that will always remain under the watchful eye. It is part of us that will stay forever in the shadows of what could be, and what has been. The constant in our new-found lives after cancer. Long after the follow ups stop. Long after the sights and smells have vanished. This will be what remains.

For those that have been there or are there now, it is a common bond that we all share. Every one of use has different memories that are associated and remain. We all went through different experiences on our paths to being survivors. But we are all linked through one common thought.

Mental health and celebrity culture is a hard to think about subject. Especially if you are like me, someone living daily with the battles of mental illness. You know it’s always something that will connect with you, but you don’t pay much attention until you see the news headlines. This month, it came in the form of Linkin Park singer Chester Bennington committing suicide.

Immediately after the news broke online, the statuses and tweets started rolling out. Including mine.

Whether you want to admit it or not, Linkin Park has probably influenced you, your music taste, or the musicians you…

My take on these events tends to be a bit different than some others. Yes, I was saddened to hear the news. Just like I was to hear about Robin Williams. But this time was different. In Williams’ case, he didn’t show the world any outward signs that things were wrong. He had talked about it before in interviews, but not a lot. We didn’t know Robin Williams to make us sad. He made us extremely happy. And that was part of the devastation of the news.

In the case of Chester Bennington, he had given the world so much notice about what was going through his head. His lyrics said it all to us. Yet, it still came as a shock to us. Why did it do that? Why did we not see it before hand? How come nobody had really tried to reach him?

I don’t have the answers to these questions though I wish to God I did. But there’s other questions I want answers to concerning mental health and celebrity culture. Like, why is a celebrity considered brave for posting about their struggles and I’m told to “get over it” and “stop being selfish”? How come a celebrity gets an outpouring of support and I get only one message asking me if I’m okay? Why do we not ever think to reach out to celebrities like they are one of us and offer genuine support and not just “prayers” with a praying hands emoji?

This is particularly difficult when it comes to being male. Men are supposed to be the sociological idea of “masculine”. We’re not supposed to show our feelings on the outside and most definitely shouldn’t talk about it with our friends. This societal perception is killing men at a rapid pace, and it doesn’t seem like it ends with us “normies”.

Sometimes it is easier to see in celebrities. Chester Bennington put his thoughts out there in his lyrics. Why didn’t we take it more seriously? Robin Williams was on the opposite end of the spectrum. We had no clue from an outside perspective. And only his closest friends and family could know how much he felt comfortable reaching out.

So why is it that celebrity culture and mental illness are such confusing, crisscrossed subjects? There are three distinct occurrences that can be observed when taking these two subjects together. First, the god-like stature and hero status we give celebrities who come out with their issues. Second is the non-existent “agreements” we make to be there for friends and family. Lastly, is the non-existent real support for celebrities who don’t go through the battle as smoothly as others.

Celebrity Culture Gods

Let me say this. I get it. Celebrities are famous and have the possibility of reaching millions with their messages. So when a celebrity comes out publicly about their mental health, it makes a huge impact. However, I don’t always see this impact as great. In one post, people are talking about how brave these people are because they “are real”. In a different comment section they are telling others to get over themselves, that they are weak, and selfish. This is a good thing?

The people on the bad end of this two-way street are often still the headlines of other news articles. The ones dedicated to B section back pages that people see and go “Huh, I didn’t see that coming” before moving on. Those of us who speak publicly about our struggles often get chided and forgotten. Making us feel like we shout to the void. I don’t want to be someone’s hero, or be famous. I just want my voice to make a difference too.

Empty Promises

Would you call 911 for someone you only know online to try to help save their life? Would you think to try to contact local family and friends, and local places where help can be found? Probably not. I’ve done this twice in the last year, and multiple times in my lifetime. When we post about what we promise people in the wake of celebrity news, most of us can’t say we’ve kept that promise.

Sharing the suicide hotline number in a status that says “Copy and paste, do not share” is one thing. Actually listening on messenger for hours, or calling the person, or even meeting them face to face is another. It’s a bullshit paradigm that says “We don’t care about somebody nobody else is talking about them” and routinely acting shocked at an outcome that we might have had the power to prevent. It’s a sickening outcome of celebrity culture and mental illness intersecting each other. And it REALLY pisses me off.

Leaving them Hanging

On the other hand, there are the celebrities who slide through this hero status, to be forgotten until the headlines. And we sit back and say “Where were the warning signs?” People write and say “Hey, your lyrics helped me” or “Your story touched me” which has to be encouraging. But who is writing them and saying “How are you doing? I mean, really how are you doing?” Could this help? Maybe, maybe not. It’s that way in any situation for anyone battling a pit of darkness.

Why do we not hear stories about multiple celebrities lifting each other up? Why don’t we see them actively trying with others instead of trying to have their story published more than the other? Do you see where I’m going with this? Celebrities and mental health equate to the same as the rest of us. Empty and broken promises, and a wall of shame and emptiness that make it hard to climb out.

There isn’t really a coherent point to this post. Well, maybe a couple. Mental illness is not a joke, not an excuse, and not selfish. It is a battle, a reason, and something that affects more than just one person. Celebrity or normie, we are ALL in this together. Nobody should have to fight alone. Nobody should be made to feel their illness is inferior to others. Keep your promises. REALLY listen to your friends. Be prepared to make tough calls and save a life.

It’s been past time to start taking mental illness seriously, to oust those who abuse the words, to encourage those who live that world, and to finally come to terms with the fact that we can all be okay in the end.

If you are having thoughts of harming yourself and you need someone to talk to, we encourage you to call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline (United States) at 1-800-273-8255. There is also a texting version if you have anxieties about talking to a person over the phone. The number for the texting suicide hotline is 741-741-START.

Anyway, I ordered a Raspberry Pi 3 Model B from Amazon this week. For those that don’t know, the Raspberry Pi is what they call a Single Board Computer or SBC. Not to be confused with an SBD which is something completely unrelated. I was pretty stoked because the kit was a bargain complete with case, heat sink, Pi, and power supply.

The first Pi product I had was an Orange Pi One that was gifted to me by a friend. However, this particular Orange Pi is very temperamental, and doesn’t like to play fair with the likes of the WiFi adapter, among other things. So it’s been in the drawer of tech stuff in my living room. But I had to make choices: What could I do with these Pi units and make them actually useful?

For the new Raspberry Pi 3, I will turn it into a portable pentesting box. Offensive Security makes images for ARM devices like the Raspberry Pi, so there is official support and an easy to set up process. With the older Orange Pi One, I am planning an interactive family digital calendar using Google Calendar, a web site and server running on the Pi itself, and a homemade frame to keep it all in. I’ll post about it when I get it started. Gotta get supplies first.

During my searches for pi projects, I came across many unique, useful, useless, and otherwise cool ideas. So for today’s listicle, I am bringing you the ___ most outstanding Pi projects out there right now.

Informational Display Calendar

This is the project I am about to embark on with my Orange Pi One. While it’s a different board, it’s still the same concept. Using Google Calendar, and an embedded weather display, and maybe adding local news or school stuff to it. A simple, digital display calendar that can be mounted anywhere in the house and viewed by all. The buttons can be used to cycle months in the calendar, month view to agenda view, or a button combo to reboot or refresh the page. Check out this instructable for more information.

Doorjam: Your Personal Walk In Soundtrack

Doorjam from redpepper-ideas

I have always wanted my own soundtrack to walk around to. I could do this with my phone and hit play on different songs. But that’s just not as cool. Doorjam doesn’t follow you around, but it can announce when you arrive to your office, living room, or local bar. Imagine everyone at the bar having their own song blare on a boombox as they walk in.

This project is a prebuilt Pi project but I’m sure you can make your own with different components that compliment the pi. Either way you go won’t be wrong. Time to walk in with head held high while some NOFX or Dropkick Murphy’s announce your immediate arrival.

Fisher Price Talking Chatter Smartphone

Who doesn’t remember this classic toy? We’ve probably all played with one (except for those damn millennials unless they got it at a thrift store). Out of all the pi projects I’ve seen so far, this one struck me as the most unique. Think of Alexa meets Fisher Price and everyone can use it. Check out the video posted above to see how it works and how it was made. This may be a future project for me with a cheaper board just because it can be done. And who doesn’t love to hack old toys?

Build a Supercomputer

Picture Credit: Glenn Harris 2012

Now chances are A) You don’t actually have that many Raspberry Pi SBCs and B) You probably don’t have the desire to put this much effort into something. Nonetheless, this is seriously fricking cool. I imagine with enough creativity and know how, you could put this to good use. I’m thinking private server rack or something similar. What adds to this project is the fact the casing is made of Lego!

Solar Powered Web Server

Now this dude had an idea. An advantageous idea. And by God, he made it happen. Off the grid, and totally self-contained, this pi project is a solar-powered web server. According to the Reddit post, this project survived some pretty harsh weather with absolutely no down time. The poster, Viko_, said he considered offering local bloggers the web server to host their blogs on. Now, wouldn’t that be a grand idea? For $300 up front, you can create a totally self-sustained web server, and host your site without having to worry about dealing with support (Looking at you GoDaddy). That’s a win if you ask me!

Thermal Printer for the Kitchen

Wade Wagner should be considered a pi genius. Now, I’m not a huge fan of IoT products, but this might could fly in my house. In a blog post, Wade details how with a little ingenuity and Python scripting, he built a thermal printer. With the help of some useful scripts, this little gadget can be sent a text message to print, pull local weather forecasts, school lunch menus, and much more. I spent over 10 years in the food service industry, but I can honestly say I never had tickets quite as awesome as this!

Piano Stairs

I’m assuming that most of you have seen the movie “Big” starring Tom Hanks. If you haven’t, then you’re probably too young to even remember when SNICK was on Nickelodeon. I resent you for that. If you do remember the movie, then this will probably excite you. With some light sensors, and Arduino and a Raspberry Pi, you too can have that gigantic keyboard you’ve always wanted. I’m seriously giving this some thought. I don’t have stairs in my house, but I’m imagining a pathway in the front or side yard that plays music as you walk along.

That’s all I have for today. What crazy, cool, or outrageous pi projects have you seen or built? Let me know in the comments below!!

]]>http://thisisjohnnyt.com/seven-outstanding-pi-projects/feed/03819Surviving Cancer: Six Things They Don’t Tell Youhttp://thisisjohnnyt.com/six-things-surviving-cancer/
http://thisisjohnnyt.com/six-things-surviving-cancer/#respondWed, 12 Jul 2017 12:55:00 +0000http://thisisjohnnyt.com/?p=3781There is a lot about surviving cancer that will take a person by surprise. Today I list six things that they won't tell you about surviving cancer.

I became a cancer survivor at the age of 30, just weeks after my birthday. Months before, I was diagnosed with late stage testicular cancer. The months in between the diagnosis and the good bill of health seem like such a blur now. Yet, I remember each and every day like it just happened. It was a tough road to walk that I was forced to travel. Still, the odds ended up in my favor, and here I am today, almost five years cancer free.

When I first received the news of “no evidence of disease” I was elated. That was it. The pinnacle of my life had already been reached. Surely, nothing that came after this would even hold a candle. I have been right on part of that. I have not faced anything as hard since then. But I also haven’t had the rainbows, easy days, enjoyment of life’s every fine grain like I thought I would. What came after cancer was actually a bit of a shock to me.

I’ve had a variation of this post in just about every blog I have written since my cancer experience. But I know there are so many everyday who start wondering “Am I the only one?” There is a lot about surviving cancer that will take a person by surprise, and it’s not what you see talked about that often. From depression, to PTSD, to lingering physical symptoms. So today, I am listing six things that they don’t tell you about surviving cancer.

Your Feelings are not Irrational – They Are Okay

There is this misconception when it comes to surviving cancer that immediately after it’s over, things become all rainbows and triumphs of human skill. The fact is, depression is something that affects 15%-25% of all cancer patients. This often extends beyond the battle and treatment. Other common mental disorders in cancer survivors include PTSD, generalized and social anxiety, and anger disorders.

Feelings of anxiety, sadness, anger, and even guilt are common in the cancer survivor. And that’s perfectly okay. During treatment, it is hard to focus on dealing with so many emotions. That often comes after the fight is over. Know that it is completely normal. Also know when it is time to seek professional help. There is no shame in it. Don’t let others control your emotions for you. Things will get better in time.

Physical Symptoms Can Long Outlast Treatment

This has been one of the toughest things for me personally. I expected to have side-effects for the first couple of weeks after ending chemo. I did not expect them to last years later. However, it is common to experience physical symptoms from the treatment, surgeries, radiation, and the damage the cancer does to your body. Some of the most common, long-lasting symptoms include nausea, fatigue, and neuropathy.

This is something that was not really talked about by my oncologist or the nurses there. The more I’ve talked to other cancer survivors, the more I realize I’m not alone in that. While you probably will feel much better once treatment ends, do not be caught off guard by long-term symptoms. Pay attention to your body, note the changes, and consult your doctor anytime you think something is not right.

The Magic of Surviving Doesn’t Happen Immediately

Often when we read about cancer survivor’s it’s about the awesome things they go on to do. Run marathons, climb mountains, start their own businesses, and so on. Which is great stuff. It’s awesome to see what people can do with their lives after cancer. But don’t expect it to be a sudden thing. We generally tend to think that when the experience is over, ALL of that experience is over.

That’s not the case however. Cancer doesn’t just end when treatment ends. The fight can continue long afterwards. A lot of cancer survivors find themselves in a hole after treatment. I felt like I must be doing life wrong because all this great stuff didn’t happen immediately. It’s not to say that great stuff won’t happen. It will, in due time. Treasure your survivorship, but always be prepared to fight, even after treatment has ended.

Survivor’s Guilt is a Real Tough Enemy

“Why me?” A constant question asked by cancer patients. Why did it have to be me diagnosed? Why does my family have to go through this? A very normal part of the process of going through cancer is questioning everything. Because it doesn’t make sense. It never will make sense. Another thing that’s hard to make sense of is why you survived when others didn’t. Survivor’s guilt is a feeling of guilt you get because you are a survivor when others aren’t. And it’s a real mental enemy to have to battle.

It’s a tough to explain emotion to those who do not experience it. But it’s also an important emotion to be able to work out. Survivor’s guilt can eat at you until you find yourself at rock bottom mentally. Survivor’s guilt also contributes to other mental disorders commonly experienced by cancer survivors. Having a strong support network of other survivors is an important part of being able to handle survivor’s guilt when it comes. We’ll never have all the answers, but we can have all the support we need.

Friendships that Faded Will Not be the Same

The toughest lesson I learned from my experience with cancer was this:

“At a time when my life was at a standstill, everyone else was still moving forward. I could not expect them to stay behind and wait for me.”

When first diagnosed, I had a lot of friends that came by, offered support, brought food, and handled the kids so I could rest. But as things went on, the amount of people coming by slowly dwindled. And that was a hard thing for me to come to grips with. I’m sure there are many survivors reading this today that have experienced similar things. Once the experience is over, we happily wish that everything will go back to normal.

This is where things get complicated. Often times, we change when going through cancer. We aren’t the same person afterwords, and rightfully so. But other people change too. Sometimes, the friendships that went by the wayside stay that way. I have had friends tell me they just didn’t know what to expect or how things would go, and so they distanced themselves. I have no anger towards them for that. New friendships will come, and old ones will be remembered. Things change, and I must change with it.

Mortality is the New ‘Not Paying Rent On Time’

When we get older, into adulthood especially, our fears tend to change. They go from fear of death, fear of getting lost, and fear of falling off the bike, to fear of not paying the bills on time, car crashes, debt, etc. As a cancer survivor, one of the worst fears becomes our new found grasp on our mortality. Any brush with cancer is a brush with death. And with that, comes all kinds of new fears.

Staring your mortality in the face is not an easy challenge. And what’s it is over, you find yourself with a renewed fear. The “What if” questions that plague your mind now far outweigh your worrying about bills and debt. The realization of mortality and limited time become the new way of life. This is an important time to have a strong support network, to have great relationships with your doctors, and to really learn what makes a life count.

Do you agree with the six things on this list? If you are a cancer survivor, what is something that you wish you had known ahead of time? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!

]]>http://thisisjohnnyt.com/six-things-surviving-cancer/feed/03781A Eulogy for the Drive In Theaterhttp://thisisjohnnyt.com/eulogy-drive-in-theater/
http://thisisjohnnyt.com/eulogy-drive-in-theater/#respondMon, 10 Jul 2017 17:56:43 +0000http://thisisjohnnyt.com/?p=3756The drive in theater has been irrelevant for decades now, and will only continue to be so. And really, I'm not sad about that at all.

We hardly knew ya, oh humble drive in theater. Those of my generation and the ones to comes will only hear the tales of your greatness. Sitting around photo albums of Polaroids from the 70’s, we will hear of your magnificence. The old timers well talk about romance, and silver screen dreams of the stars of the past. We will listen closely while each part of the experience is talked out in detail.

This would be how I would start a eulogy for the fading drive in movie theater. That is, if I cared that it was a dying relic of the past. But the truth is, I don’t. The drive in theater has been irrelevant for decades now, and will only continue to be so. I understand that they are making a bit of a comeback right now. I get that. But only for the same reason that Polaroids, fancy mustaches, and big wheel bicycles are coming back: hipster culture.

Let’s be honest, anything old that is popular right now is just part of a fad where everyone thinks the relics from our past are suddenly awesome again. Truth is, most of these things are not awesome. And that includes the drive in theater. Besides the ridiculous amount of money it takes to have a relevant drive in, nostalgia is not enough to keep the industry afloat. If I wanted to pay that much for a movie, I would do so for a movie inside with air conditioning and protection from any sudden weather.

Cost and Cars Killing the Drive In Theater

There are a number of reasons for the demise of the drive in theater. First is the rising cost of maintaining and upgrading the automotive movie havens. New projectors to keep up with the standards of filming can costs tens of thousands of dollars. Maintaining the display surface at the drive in can also come at a hefty cost. Then there is concession equipment costs, keeping the lots paved (unless you like parking on mud puddles).

Then there’s the sound system. Most modern drive in theaters now use FM transmission for the movie sound. Which is cool because you can have your windows rolled up and still hear it. But it requires battery power. That leaves you with a choice: Run the battery down or run your gas down keeping the alternator working. Leaving the motor running in idle for 2.5 hours is not a good idea. I could go on and on, but you see where I’m going.

Mother Nature Doesn’t Care About Your Movie

This is another thing about drive in theaters. Mother nature doesn’t give a damn if you had made these plans 2 weeks ago. If she feels like pissing on your parade, she’s going to. Don’t anger a mother. It’s not a pretty site. No, mother nature has zero fucks to give about our plans. That’s why the drive in theater is a nightmare to plan. “Hey, we’re going to show a double feature”. Then the actual night of the showing it’s pouring rain and hail stones the size of the peanut M&M’s you just paid six dollars for.

Sure, I would rather be at a drive in if the power went out, but then again, I wouldn’t be near a drive in if I thought that was even a chance to begin with. I don’t even like getting my mail when it’s raining, let alone go to a movie theater that requires me to have to possibly get soaked, or have the chance of my car blowing up.

Filth and Fornication

The last reason for why drive in theaters should not be around anymore. As generations get raunchier, it naturally goes that they will be raunchier in different places. Coupled with drug use, dirty diapers thrown on the ground, and god knows what else, it’s unsanitary to say the least. Seriously, the only squishing I want to hear under my feet at the movies is a piece of gum spit out on the ground. Not a used condom.

What is Better than the Drive In

A regular movie theater. Duh. What I like about a regular movie theater is being in a crowd of people who, when a big blockbuster is first released, experience the wonder together. Everyone jumps at the same times, sees and hears things at the same time. We collectively experience the same movie. That and, oh yeah, no mud to drive in, busted up speakers, running the car, possible getting soaked by rain. No birds crapping through the windows as they look for dropped popcorn.

Even watching movies at home is better. Hulu, Netflix, Putlocker (I’m not judging anyone). An environment that you can control, with snacks that you want, and if you are lucky, nobody else has their little brats there to shout over the best lines. Enjoy your movie your way. That’s something you can’t beat.

Now imagine the future. Virtual reality is sure to have a role in movies eventually. Imagine a first person movie where you are literally in the action. Hear something to your right? Look right and see what it was. Think the monster is behind you? Turn around and find out. Want to talk about messing your pants when watching a movie? Because that’s how it happens.

Let’s take the VR concept one step further. What if, and this is a big what if, you could choose the movie based on the character you wanted to be? Imagine having your friends over, strapping on the VR and everyone is a different character of the movie. How sweet would that be? It would definitely give a whole new set of experiences to talk about after the movie.

So, to finish, farewell to the drive in theater. A remnant of a past when things were different and experiences were new. We here in 2017 enjoy the experiences we have now and the ones that have yet to come. May your broken down signs and degrading screen surfaces be a reminder to us all that nothing is forever. And that better things will always come. Catch ya on the flip side… That is, if I feel like looking for you.

]]>http://thisisjohnnyt.com/eulogy-drive-in-theater/feed/03756Internet of Things and Connected Lives: An Insecure Relationshiphttp://thisisjohnnyt.com/internet-of-things-an-insecure-relationship/
http://thisisjohnnyt.com/internet-of-things-an-insecure-relationship/#respondThu, 06 Jul 2017 20:13:41 +0000http://thisisjohnnyt.com/?p=3715The internet of things has become the go to technology trend in recent years. However, security is not close enough behind yet. What does a connected future hold for us?

We live in a crazy connected world these days, and the Internet of Things makes it abundantly clear. IoT is probably one of the hottest emerging technology trends right now. Put simply, the Internet of Things is the technology of putting internet connected computer devices into everyday objects. Anything from refrigerators to light bulbs are now being produced with the ability to connect to a network and be controlled remotely.

As far as technology trends go, sales revenue and market value can rise and fall like the tides. This leaves it as no surprised that so many tech manufacturers are trying their best to come up with the next big Internet of Things device. The tech sector expands by leaps every year, so staying on top is a monumental, never ending task. However, as great as being able to control everything (I mean everything) from your phone sounds, there is great security risks involved.

Internet of Things Security in the News

The largest security threat in IoT news recently was the massive DDoS attack on Dyn, a company that provides DNS services to, well, half the country. The targeted devices used in the attack: IP security cameras. There has been the recent disclosure of CIA tools that turned internet of things devices such as smart TVs to spy on American homes. And you can’t say you haven’t seen the stories of baby monitors being hacked and used to listen in and even talk to whoever happens to be in the room.

In an article from Linux Insider, the growth of Linux based malware is discussed. With much of the IoT world in the hands of Linux based controllers, attackers have started focusing their efforts on Linux exploitation. And in a wonderful article on Fast Company, we hear the concerns of Vint Cerf, commonly known as the “Father of the Internet”. Perhaps one of the more subtle, but telling quotes from the article, Vint expresses

“Basically you’re relying on software doing the right things, and if it doesn’t do the right thing, you have very little to say about it. I feel like we’re moving into a kind of fragile future right now that we should be much more thoughtful about improving, that is to say making more robust.”

Internet of Things and the Common Consumer

As technology abounds and our world gets more connected, the common consumer has become more tech savvy than in years past. However, I find that tech savvy and and tech minded tend to be two different things. Basic understanding of your technology makes you tech savvy. A more definitive understanding makes you tech minded.

One thing a lot of common consumers do not realize about IoT devices, is the inherit security risk you bring into your home. In a most basic explanation, every device that ends up connected to your home router is a security risk. This means anything from computers, to cell phones, to connected devices like security cameras, TVs, and other appliances. With each new device introduced, the risk of attack goes up.

Unfortunately, even the most basic of security practices that help protect a home network are not in use by most common consumers. So when they decide to add even more attack points to the home network, it comes as no surprise that IoT products have started to become a favorite target. Your smart home is quickly becoming the smartest botnet in the world, and you don’t even know it. What stops an attacker from using your own appliance against you?

Internet of Things and Health Technology

This is a really scary talking point. Not only have we invited inter-connectivity into our normal home lives, but we have also invited it into our health decisions. Modern hospitals, and medical practices with recent equipment upgrades now have connected devices. IV pumps, insulin pumps, oxygen apparatus, the list goes on. Everything in the medical community is being connected.

This isn’t the scary part though. Being able to better monitor a hospital ward with a centralized computer system that shows such detail, that’s a great thing. The scary part is that, just like home devices, these new bits of medical genius come with their security flaws. Whether it’s outsider control of the device, to using the network node to get in and steal personal information, the security of such things hasn’t been well thought out with the technology.

The Future of IoT Security

The future of IoT security has to start in the present. It starts with manufacturers being able to quickly resolve current issues and patch vulnerabilities. A quick response is a great way to assure your consumers that you take their security seriously. On the other side of that, security must be part of the end product that is released. Cybersecurity is one of the fastest growing IT fronts, yet too many companies still don’t take it seriously. Manufacturers must take security not just of the present, but of the future seriously when planning and building new products.

For the common consumer, the practices of basic network security should be learned and applied a lot more than they are right now. If you didn’t know that your router can get software upgrades, raise your hand? If you raised your hand, then you have a lot of learning to do. Just like our phones and computers, internet connected devices can and probably will receive updates. The biggest reason for these updates? You guessed it, improving security.

Final Thoughts

Internet of Things is no doubt the future technology that will run our everyday lives. It’s almost the next inevitable step. However, like other technological leaps in the past, IoT doesn’t come without its flaws and concerns. Manufacturers and consumers have to work together to preserve security. Manufacturers have to do their jobs in preventing and maintaining the security of the devices they release. Consumers have to do their part to implement the security basics on these devices and their home network in general.

A connected world with connected lives will not be this terrible thing that the older generations think it will be. It will not be a disillusioned dystopia of tech zombies with no interaction. However, without the proper procedures and practices, we can’t hope to totally eliminate the slight possibility.

Apples to Androids is a series on the site that goes through and breaks down what you need to know if you plan on switching from iOS to Android. Looking at it from an analytical standpoint to help you decide if the switch is right for you. View the introduction post here.

People ask me all the time about making the switch from iOS to Android. Being an Android enthusiast, I guess my knowledge of the OS and development makes me an easy go-to for others wanting to learn more. Perhaps the biggest thing I get asked about is application compatibility. Will my apps be available on Android, and if not, are there comparable alternatives?

App History By the Numbers

Apple was not the first company to have an app store. Both Microsoft and Palm were already there. But it didn’t take long for Apple to outpace the competition to become the most used app store with 100 million downloads in its first 3 months. Android would be introduced the following year in 2008 and it would take six years before the PlayStore would carry more apps than the Apple AppStore. Growth for both app shops have been steady over the last few years and Android maintains its lead as it has become the most popular mobile platform.

Image via AppFigures

Developer’s Take

Though Android remains the most popular mobile platform to date, you will still see a lot of apps come out for iOS long before they are available for Android. This isn’t some conspiracy or an attempt by Apple to pay developers to develop for them first. iOS is actually easier to develop for, and success of an app, especially in the terms of revenue generation, can often hinge on how well it does in the App Store.

iPhone is generally seen as more of an attractive accent to someone’s life than an Android phone. Users on iOS are more likely to pay for apps than those on Android. A lot of this is due to the open source nature of Android, users with root access, and the easy ability to side-load applications. Either way, if you want to make a name as a developer, you judge your success on iOS sales, and therein lies a major focus.

Major Production Apps

In this part of the post I want to discuss compatibility between iOS and Android with a focus on major production apps. What do I mean by that? We’re talking your big name, everyone has them on their smartphone applications. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat. I’m also going to include most of the major productivity apps like Gmail, Outlook, Evernote, and If (formerly IFTTT). When it comes to the bulk of your mainly used applications, you are going to find them in both application stores.

Proprietary Applications

Image Courtesy of Apple

This is where things get a little… Well, a LOT different. Proprietary software, in this case apps that are owned by the respective manufacturers of a mobile device, are things that you won’t find cross-platform. Apple is well known for its features that include its proprietary iOS software. Apps such as iMessage and Facetime have become absolutely second nature to iPhone users. And what makes these kind of apps better, for Apple anyway, is that they are available across devices like iPhone, iPad, and iPod.

Android is a bit different. Most of Google’s major apps are also available on iOS. Where you end up with proprietary applications comes from the individual device manufacturers. Samsung, LG, HTC, and others have their own apps that you will usually find pre-installed on your Android device. However, most of these apps are seen as annoying as opposed to beneficial.

Comparison and Contrast

Now, at this point in the post I figured it would be good to use a visual of some kind. Below I have constructed a table. In this table you will find apps you probably use on iOS, their availability on the Android platform, and if there is no availability, the apps that have the closest comparison to them.

App Name

Android Availability

Android Alternative

Facebook/Messenger

Yes

Instagram

Yes

iMessage

No

Google Allo
WhatsApp

Facetime

No

Viber
Google Duo

iTunes

No (Note: Music can be moved from computer iTunes to Android device)

Google Play Music
Spotify

Snapchat

Yes

Siri

No

Google Now (Assistant)
Cortana for Android

Find My iPhone

No

Android Device Manager

Apple Maps

No

Google Maps

Apple News

No

Flipboard

Twitter

Yes

Email

Not the stock iOS App

Outlook
Gmail
Alto

Notes

Not the stock iOS App

Google Keep
Evernote

iMovie

No

VidTrim

I can add more apps to this list as they are pointed out, but this gives you a basic look at some of the most used apps on iOS, and whether or not they are available on Android, and the alternative to them.

That’s it. That’s your quick look at app compatibility between iOS and Android. Hopefully this gives you a bit of a glimpse into what you will be looking at when making the switch from iOS to Android.

]]>http://thisisjohnnyt.com/apples-to-androids-part-two-application-compatibility/feed/03699Bash Commands All Linux Users Should Knowhttp://thisisjohnnyt.com/bash-commands-linux-users/
http://thisisjohnnyt.com/bash-commands-linux-users/#respondMon, 03 Jul 2017 15:37:29 +0000http://thisisjohnnyt.com/?p=3706For all Linux users, knowing the basic bash commands can be a live saver. Today, I take a look at the most common bash commands for the Linux user.

There is an unspoken rule when it comes to learning how to use Linux that you are not a true user until you learn the basics of bash commands. While there are some great GUI applications that can help you work in Linux, bash commands are essential. They can be everything when nothing else works. Over the last few years, my knowledge of Linux has expanded as I tend to run a dual-boot environment on my computers. I’ve used Linux for everything from gaming, to Android development, to penetration testing.

Over numerous years and numerous Linux distributions, I have come to learn the importance of bash commands. Across distributions and versions, it is the one constant. Whether you use Linux at home, or are looking into work that requires knowledge of Linux command line, here are some of the top bash commands every Linux user should know. Of course, the command line doesn’t have to be all business all the time. Check out my other Linux command line post to see some fun things you can do in the terminal.

Basic Bash Commands

sudo – Runs commands as root. This means no limitations of permissions. Can only be used when an account has been configured for root access, such as an administrator.

cd – Changes the current working directory.

ls – Lists the contents of a specific directory. If no directory is specified it lists the contents of the current working directory.

kill – Terminates the process specified in the arguments. Think of it as the “End Task” for Linux.

nano – Opens files in a very basic command terminal text editor.

Example of the Nano bash text editor.

System Information Bash Commands

ps – Displays information about all of the processes currently running on the machine.

df – Displays disk usage for the filesystem.

hostname – Displays the name of the current host system.

uptime – Shows how long the system has been running since the last reboot.

passwd – As you might have guessed, this command allows you to change your user password.

history – Lists previous bash commands for the current shell session.

Man bash command showing options for “touch” command.

There you have it. The most basic bash commands that every Linux user should know. What do you think should be added to the list? What are your highest used bash commands? Let me know in the comments below!

]]>http://thisisjohnnyt.com/bash-commands-linux-users/feed/03706Johnny T’s Guide to Resourceful Home Improvementhttp://thisisjohnnyt.com/guide-resourceful-home-improvement/
http://thisisjohnnyt.com/guide-resourceful-home-improvement/#respondWed, 28 Jun 2017 15:43:49 +0000http://thisisjohnnyt.com/?p=3665Home improvement projects are a staple of spring and early summer. The last few weeks I could be found out […]

Home improvement projects are a staple of spring and early summer. The last few weeks I could be found out in my yard. Turning over flower beds and replanting them, framing up the new driveway with gravel, and painting the porch columns. I’ve never been really good at home improvement or gardening projects in the past. Mainly because I’ve never had a place that I could do this kind of work at. But after living here for a year, I decided to get to work this spring.

Home improvement can cost an arm and a leg sometimes, and for us, paying someone else to do it is out of the question. Nor can I afford the high end supplies that would make my home worthy of Better Homes and Gardens. But that doesn’t mean I don’t try. And over the last few weeks I’ve learned a lot of little tips for sprucing up the home, that won’t run your wallet to death.

Pictures used from here on down are tall taken by me of the home improvement projects I’ve been doing the last couple of weeks. I’m not a master at this, I’m not a gardener, painter, or landscaper. But these are just to illustrate how resourceful home improvement can make any yard look better.

Gardens and Flower Boxes

An easy way to spruce up the home in spring is the addition of flower gardens and flower boxes. If you have rich soil in your area, then most plants you buy will do very well. Same thing if using the same soil in a flower box. And creating a good looking flower bed and box does not require spending a fortune. I maybe have $100 total in everything I’ve done with my yard so far this year, and only half of that is in gardening.

The goal here isn’t looking for Better Homes and Gardens quality, rather, go by individual taste and how it can make the area around the house look better. As you can see in the photos below, I went with sprucing up the area around the tall bush out front, a small area on the front of the porch, and the two side areas of the porch. The wood used to create the borders around the beds was recycled from something else lying around the house. Any wood will work as long as it is treated. Flea markets are a great place to shop for wood that can be re-purposed.

For flowers, sometimes less is more when it comes to cost. You can look here for a guide on what can grow best in your area. We literally just went to Wal-Mart and got all of our flowers. Lowes will sometimes have a great sale on plants that just need some TLC. You can get a whole cart of plants and flowers for next to nothing. To top it all off after planting, a good layer of mulch can provide an even layer of visual goodness. I get bags of mulch of different colors from Wal-Mart for about $2.50 a bag.

Now that the flowers have been growing for some time, the gardens have filled in nicely with color, and we’ve even add more since then that came from family members and friends.

Cleaning Siding, Stone, and Brick

Did you know vinegar is best used as a household cleaner instead of a cooking ingredient? Seriously, I never use vinegar for cooking. Every bottle of white vinegar I buy is for cleaning purposes. Maybe I should write about the many uses of vinegar. I digress. Anyway, we’re talking about cleaning vinyl siding, stone and brick. While this won’t give you the quality you could get out of a good professional power washing, it will clean things up noticeably.

Before CleanerAfter Cleaner

The mix that I use is 1/2 warm water and 1/2 vinegar. Sometimes I’ll put a small splash of dish soap in with it. Spray a liberal coating on siding, stone or brick, and let sit for a little bit. For extra tough spots, a little scrubbing with a bristle brush may be required. Then, simply rinse with water. Repeat as necessary. You’ll be surprised at how well vinegar will break up stains, mold, mildew, and other deposits.

New Paint Means New Life

Our front porch columns are a mess. They have cracks running up them and until recently, most of the paint was missing from them. What used to be beautiful white had become weather worn wood color. Of course, we are in no position to be able to replace a porch, or even just the columns. Column wraps are available but that requires precise measurements and cutting. That’s something else I’m not so good at. What did we use instead? Some patching putty, gallon of paint, brush, and small roller.

The same could apply for just about any kind of outdoor wood fixture that needs a touch up. Filling in cracks in the wood with a good sealer putty, and giving it a couple of coats of fresh color. Our columns don’t look perfect, but they do look much better than they did, and it makes a noticeable improvement to the front view of the house. Mail box posts, window shutters, painted wood furniture, all of these can be improved with minimal effort, time and money.

Framing Sidewalks and Driveways

Edging is pain in the ass. Admit it. Trying to perfectly trim up weeds and grass down sidewalks, pathways, and driveways can drive even the most seasoned yard veteran crazy. So why not make sure you don’t have to do that? Sounds like a plan right? Not only can you cut down on yard work time, but adding a nice border around sidewalks and driveways can bring an inviting look to your dwelling grounds.

Plastic flower bed edging is cheap and when installed correctly, it can create a variety of shapes and borders for your sidewalks and driveways. Filling in the area between the edging and the pathway with gravels, or mulch and small bushes can turn any plain area of concrete into a lovely area of yard to look at.

Cleaning and Staining Outdoor Wood Furniture

Everyone knows that there’s only so much cleaning you can do to outdoor wood furniture before you rub the finish off and it starts to fade. Sun is very good at fading the color of wooden furniture too. Luckily, there are plenty of household goods that can be used to bring out the best in your wooden furniture again, and it can be resealed for longer lasting visual pleasure.

The same vinegar and water mix used above for siding and stone can be used to clean up wood furniture. Wood is especially good at trapping mildew and mold in its porous surface, and scrubbing is often required to get the wood clean. Black tea bags and instant coffee can be used well to bring a little color back to your outdoor wood furniture. Keep in mind, these won’t be as dark and rich as something you can buy at Sherwin Williams, but we’re looking for resourceful and low cost. Using the methods 2 or three times after a good cleaning can bring a natural looking stain finish to wood furniture, then for around $2.99 a can of all weather clear coat can seal in that finish to last longer than the original.

And there you have it. Johnny T’s guide to resourceful home improvement. Do you have any DIY home improvement projects that you’re doing? Any other tips on how to do things with a low budget? Drop your projects and tips down in the comments below!